The consensus is he isn't world class, not even fit enough to lace the boots of a £45million striker like Karim Benzema or Edinson Cavani apparently, but try telling that to Olivier Giroud this season.

The goalscorer showed against Liverpool he can be Arsenal's go-to guy in their bid for the Barclays Premier League title and why Arsene Wenger does not need to splash the cash.

The game between Liverpool and Arsenal was heavy metal versus classical music and Giroud helped Wenger in his conducting, scoring twice in his quest to become a 20-goals-a-season striker.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring his first goal against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday

The fact that Giroud has played 400 minutes more than Messi and Aguero only makes it more impressive for the Arsenal striker – it means he had to be consistent for longer.

In 2012/13, Giroud managed just 11 goals. In 2013/14, 16. In 2014/15, 14. It is easy to see why more was expected from him this year.

Giroud instinctively volleys home Arsenal's second in an impressive performance by the target man

TOP PREMIER LEAGUE SCORERS

15 ‒ Romelu Lukaku, Jamie Vardy

13 ‒ Odion Ighalo

12 ‒ Olivier Giroud

11 ‒ Harry Kane

Yet the striker is repaying his manager's faith as we leave 2015 and enter 2016.

Giroud has 12 goals this season and, going by the logic that his two against Liverpool turned what would have been a 3-1 defeat into a 3-3 draw, they have won Arsenal 10 points so far.

Without his goals and those subsequent points, they'd be seventh in the Premier League, wedged between Manchester United and Stoke City.

His 53 goals in 118 appearances in the Premier League goes unnoticed but shouldn't – Giroud even hit the 50-mark in fewer games (113) than Dennis Bergkamp (114) and Robin van Persie (142). His confidence is on the up, and so are Arsenal.

There have been other strikers who weren't world class but still led their clubs to the title – Diego Costa for Chelsea last season is an example. Dimitar Berbatov in 2010/11 too.

According to the critics, Giroud doesn't turn up against big clubs. If so, then his goals against Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich this season must not have counted. Not to mention his hat-trick against Olympiacos in the Champions League too.

He has never hit 20-plus goals in a Premier League season ‒ so often the mark that a striker should strive for, especially one trying for the title ‒ but he's more than halfway there so far.

Giroud can miss a chance and may not always be in the right place at the right time, but he is a striker fit for Arsenal and their push for the Premier League title.